Gaza [Palestine], July 5: Hamas has announced it has “submitted a positive response” to a 60-day ceasefire proposal with Israel in Gaza, signaling a breakthrough after months of stalled negotiations, CNN reported.
In a statement on Friday, Hamas confirmed its readiness to start talks on implementing the ceasefire framework. “The movement is fully prepared to immediately enter into a round of negotiations regarding the mechanism for implementing this framework,” Hamas said.
Israel had previously accepted the US-backed proposal, paving the way for both sides to finalize the details of the potential ceasefire. Bishara Bahbah, a Palestinian-American interlocutor in contact with Hamas, welcomed the development, writing on Facebook that “we are now much closer to ending this cursed war,” and noting that amendments introduced by Hamas should not block an agreement within the coming week.
An Israeli source told CNN that a positive response was expected and the proposed amendments would not hinder progress.
Under the draft proposal, of the 50 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, 10 — including 8 living hostages on the first day — would be released during the ceasefire, along with the bodies of 18 others. In exchange, an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners would be freed. Israel would also withdraw from parts of northern Gaza, and both sides would begin talks on a permanent ceasefire.
The proposal calls for Hamas to release hostages without public displays or ceremonies, with additional hostages to be freed on four more dates outlined in the plan.
US President Donald Trump urged Hamas to accept the deal, warning on Truth Social: “I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE.”
Since October 7, 2023, the conflict has left at least 57,130 Palestinians dead and more than 130,000 injured, according to Al Jazeera. Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7 killed around 1,139 people. The UN estimates 85% of Gaza is now under Israeli military control, with massive destruction of homes, hospitals, and schools forcing hundreds of thousands to flee repeatedly. (ANI)